The Wasp — 1888 — page 305: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon critiques police brutality and corruption. The central figure—a uniformed officer at the "City Dog Pound"—violently attacks citizens with a club while appearing to catch a dog. The exaggerated violence and the absurd juxtaposition of law enforcement with animal control suggest police are treating citizens like animals. The inset vignette (top) shows contrasting "civilized" dog-handling, implying the officer's brutality is uncivilized. The title "Highway Robbery" suggests police are essentially stealing from or assaulting the public under color of authority. The cartoon likely references late 19th or early 20th-century concerns about police abuse and corruption in American cities. The "wasp" publication specialized in political satire attacking corruption and social injustice.